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Elephants in danger

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 10 million wild elephants in Africa. Today, their numbers hover around 400,000. The Pittsburgh Zoo's breeding bull, Jackson, is one of the most prolific bulls in captivity in North America.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 10 million wild elephants in Africa. Today, their numbers hover around 400,000. The Pittsburgh Zoo's breeding bull, Jackson, is one of the most prolific bulls in captivity in North America.

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Updated: 6:56 PM EST Dec 16, 2013

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WEBVTT 3 Can you imagine a world without elephants? In ten years, it could happen, at least in the wild. Right now, in Africa, elephants are being slaughtered at a rate of 100 a day--all for their ivory. TONIGHT, ONLY ON FOUR, SALLY WIGGIN GOES BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE PITTSBURGH ZOO, TO SEE WHAT PITTSBURGH IS DOING INTELLIGENT ANIMAL 3 3 ANGELINE AND ZURI, BOTH 5, HAVE ONLY SMALL, THIN TUSKS, NOT A TARGET FOR 3 THE DEMAND FOR IVORY, FUELED IN GROWING MIDDLE CLASS IN CHINA, HAS LEFT THE WILD ELEPHANT POPULATION AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN HISTORY. THE ILLEGAL TRADE IS NOW DRIVEN BY ORGANIZED CRIME SYNDICATES AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION. 3 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SAVE THE ELEPHANTS ARE FUNDING RANGER TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY,AND LAST MONTH, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HIGHLIGHTED THE GLOBAL POACHING SIX TONS OF SEIZED IVORY . 3 BUT THE CAPTIVE POPULATION OF ELEPHANTS IS ALSO IN LACKING IN GENETIC DIVERSITY.THAT'S WHERE PROJECT FROZEN DUMBO COMES IN. 3 THE PITTSBURGH ZOO INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS VALUABLE GENETICS OF THE WILD ELEPHANTS.THE PITTSBURGH ZOO HAS ALSO RESCUED THREE BOTSWANA ELEPHANTS DESTINED TO BE KILLED, AND BROUGHT THEM TO CONSERVATION CENTER WHERE THEY 3 WILL ADD LIFE TO THE CAPTIVE GENE POOL. 3 3 3 3 3

Elephants in danger

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 10 million wild elephants in Africa. Today, their numbers hover around 400,000. The Pittsburgh Zoo's breeding bull, Jackson, is one of the most prolific bulls in captivity in North America.